Leaked Apple Code Suggests Touch ID Coming to Apple Watch in 2026 [Report]

Apple may be working on bringing Touch ID to the Apple Watch, according to code snippets reportedly found in the company's internal software. The discovery, highlighted by Macworld, points to the feature being tested for a possible debut in 2026 or later—not in this fall's lineup.

The references include mentions of "AppleMesa," Apple's codename for Touch ID, tied directly to 2026 Watch models. How Apple would actually implement fingerprint scanning remains uncertain, though past patents show a sensor embedded in the side button. If accurate, it lines up with a recent report from DigiTimes claiming a major redesign is planned for 2026, complete with new sensors and updated hardware.

The same code also hints at a next-generation processor for those watches. Internally labeled as the "Watch8" family, the devices appear to be powered by a chip called the T8320. That's a step up from the T8310 architecture that underpins the Watch7 line—including the Series 9, Series 10, and this year's upcoming Series 11. If correct, it would mark Apple's first big CPU shift for the Watch in years.


Interestingly, this isn't the only leak to surface from Apple's internal builds. Recent discoveries have pointed to an upcoming MacBook Pro with 5G support and a custom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. As always, though, these references don't guarantee a feature will ship—Apple often tests technology that never reaches consumers.

For now, expectations for this fall remain steady: the Apple Watch Series 11, a new Apple Watch Ultra 3, and an updated SE. Touch ID, it seems, will have to wait.

Note that ahead of the Apple Watch Series 11 unveiling, the Series 10 model is now on sale for 23% off! Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more Apple Watch updates!